For International Leadership of Texas Class of 2022 graduate Caleb Marsh, perseverance has always been part of the game.

After graduating, Caleb continued his athletic and academic career at Mid-America Christian University, where he played soccer for three years before transferring to McMurry University in Abilene. There, he was playing some of the best soccer of his life and making an immediate impact on the field.

In the fall, Caleb scored a hat trick during a friendly match — a major milestone and a glimpse of the momentum he was building. But just three days later, everything changed. Caleb suffered the first major injury of his athletic career, rupturing his peroneal tendon in a noncontact injury on turf.

For four months, he could not run.

Many athletes would have stepped away from competition. Caleb chose a different path.

This spring, despite never having competed in track and field before, Caleb joined the track team at McMurry. Learning everything from the basics — including how to use starting blocks — he embraced one of the toughest events in the sport: the 400-meter dash.

Competing against athletes who had trained in track for years, Caleb steadily improved throughout the season. What began as the 11th-fastest time on his team turned into the fifth-fastest by the end of the year.

His determination also helped contribute to a special season for McMurry, as the team captured a conference championship.

Even more impressive, Caleb’s coaches believe his best is still ahead of him. With a full year of training, they believe he has the potential to run a 48-second 400-meter dash and become part of a standout relay team next season.

While Caleb’s athletic accomplishments are impressive, his success extends far beyond competition. A biology major carrying a 3.75 GPA, he has earned recognition as an Academic All-American student-athlete — balancing excellence in the classroom with dedication in sports.

Those who know Caleb say his resilience, discipline, and character were evident long before college athletics. During his years at ILTexas, he developed the persistence and work ethic that continue to guide him today. No matter the challenge, Caleb has always chosen to do things the right way.

And through every obstacle, one thing has remained true:

He never quits.